Hot Shots - August 26, 2022

Hot Shots - August 26, 2022
Severin R-B Danieli

Hello all,

We are officially done our last full week of August! This summer has seemed shorter to me than most, but I am not complaining in the slightest. One of many of the reasons I love living in the Pacific Northwest is that we get such distinct seasons. We get the cold, snowy winters, the fresh, warm springs, the hot, dry summers and the colourful, crisp autumns.

Leaves are already starting to fall, the sidewalks are starting to crunch with crispy leaves, but the weather here in Vancouver is still reaching 33 degrees some days. A longer summer than usual? Perhaps. But as of now, I officially will start acting like it is autumn, because that is what I am willing into existence.

Peppers.

Purple peppers! These come to us from Two EE's, a wonderful local farm, and are as delicious as ever.

Bell peppers are easy enough to find recipes for, but with a veggie (or fruit) that is a different colour than the standard we have come to expect at our local grocery store, I want it as the star of a dish.

Roasted whole on a BBQ, added into a Greek salad, stuffed with orzo?

A quick personal pepper story: I was looking after a co-workers cat a few days this week, so I didn't do my usual daily peruse of my garden. When I got home yesterday, I was greeted by a very bright red pepper hiding behind the green leaves. I was shocked! This was my first successful, good-sized pepper I had ever grown! I haven't decided what to do with it, and it is so candy apple red that I don't even want to touch it. I think I'll admire it for a few more days and then decide.

The pride and joy of my garden this year!

Tots.

French red fingerlings potatoes have arrived at Disco, also from Two EE's, in 20# bags.

When I was taking these photos, I had a delicious food vision of lightly boiling these potatoes, cutting them up in .75 - 1 inch chunks, cooling them down, and making them into a scrumptious potato salad.

These French fingerling potatoes are a late-maturing variety, with an oblong shape and yellow flesh. Roast them, boil them, mash them, you can't go wrong with any preparation style of a potato.

Meyer lemons

Citrus isn't exactly a start to September fruit, however, when added onto a roast chicken? Used as a garnish on an ancient grain and root vegetable salad? Or, if you still holding onto summer recipes, a meyer lemon lemonade or maybe some lemon squares with a crumbly buttery crust? Yum!

Originally grown in China and cultivated as house plants, these lemons were brought to the USA from Beijing by an agricultural explorer by the name of Frank Meyer in 1908.

Figs.

Black mission fresh figs! So delicious, and honestly, kind of luxurious...

They came up to Disco from Creekside Organic down in California. They are available in 12ct open pints.

During many late summer/autumnal walks in Italy, I noticed fig trees with their branches and fruit climbing over their owner's garden fences and drooping onto the public sidewalk. I will admit I tasted a few.

Right after we got out of quarantine after arriving in Italy, our wonderful landlady gave us a little box of fresh figs from her parent's garden, and two preserves. So for me, fresh figs = Italy.

That table cloth brings back many an Italian memory!

Lions mane / pom pom

This specialty item we have at Disco needs to be pre-ordered, chat with one of our knowledgeable purchasers about them, and they're just a fun fungi to have around!

In season late summer through to the fall, they are found out in the wild high up in trees, but can also be cultivated on sawdust and logs for commercial markets. Lions mane mushrooms contain zinc, potassium, calcium and beta-glucan polysaccharides.

In regards to flavour, these mushrooms are tender, chewy, mild and sweet, with flavours that are reminiscent of scallops, lobster or crab. Given this taste profile, they are often used as a meat substitute for veggies or vegans alike.

Red Kuri.

Ending the hot shots on this reminder of impending autumn; of roasted root veggies, of the big fluffy scarf and sweater you haven't worn for months, of crisp morning air and pale blue sunrises. 

Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.
I shall smile when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow;
I shall sing when night’s decay
Ushers in a drearier day.

Emily Brontë

Have a wonderful last weekend of August, dear reader.

We have a Disco Staff Summer party to get to, so, I'll chat with you next week!

Big love,
Severin R-B Danieli